Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mistletoe: Friend or Foe?

The white berries of mistletoe ripen in early winter and are a favorite food of birds, though are poisonous if eaten by humans.

Mistletoe is a common plant throughout North Carolina, found growing as a parasite on the branches of deciduous trees. This same mistletoe is often harvested and brought indoors during the holidays, where it is slyly hung in doorways to provide an excuse for stealing a kiss. Though often considered a pest, there are several things that should be considered before deciding if this plant is a friend or foe.